Novel approach for the selective dispersion of MWCNTs in the Nylon/SAN blend system

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were coated with TiO2 by sol gel process. The coating was confirmed by TEM, XPS and XRD. TEM analysis showed that rough coating was formed on the MWCNTs. These modified MWCNTs and pristine MWCNTs were dispersed in the blend of nylon 66 and SAN by melt blending. FESEM images showed that pristine MWCNTs were preferably dispersed in the nylon phase whereas TiO2 modified MWCNTs confined to the SAN phase. The selective dispersion was explained on the basis of migration and stabilization of these high aspect ratio nanotubes in the Nylon/SAN blend system. The hydrogen bonding interaction between the CN group of SAN and surface hydroxyl group of TiO2 coated MWCNTs has restricted the migration of modified MWCNTs from SAN to nylon phase. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.